淑女的欲望

When Scarlett finished talking to Rex, she immediately went to look for Xander. Surprisingly, she found him standing alone near the room where she and Rex had been chatting, with his back facing her. He seemed to be looking at the dance floor while waiting for her.

"Xander?" she called out to him and walked up beside him, "Since when were you here? Why were you waiting here?" She felt terrible because she had talked with Rex for quite a while and this man was standing here waiting for her.

Xander glanced at Scarlett and then at Rex, who had just left the private room. "Not so long. Your discussion with Rex, is it done yet?" he asked.

"Yes," Scarlett replied while looking at the dance floor. The night was getting late, and more and more people were dancing down there. It made her feel dizzy just looking at it from afar. "Xander, where are the others?"

"They're all down there... dancing, if I may guess!" Xander said.

"Ah, that's why you were waiting for me here?" She smiled and held out her arm.

"Hmm," Xander said, feeling like he didn't want to stay here any longer. He wanted to go home, but he was afraid Scarlett still wanted to stay.

"Baby, do you want to go home now?" he asked.

Scarlett nodded. She had met Rex and the others, and there was no reason for her to linger here. Then she looked at Rex, who was now standing not far from them.

"Brother, I'm going home now. I'm feeling tired and want to sleep," Scarlett said.

"Sis, are you drunk? Already!?" Rex rubbed his eyebrows, a smile forming on his lips.

"No, I'm not drunk. This is your fault! You know I don't like this place, but you still chose to celebrate your birthday here," Scarlett said, taking a deep breath. "Okay, bye, brother!"

Rex's smile faded as he watched Scarlett and Xander disappear from sight. He couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that had settled in his chest after their earlier conversation. He took a deep breath and pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number.

"Hey, it's me," Rex said when the call connected. "We need to come up with a plan to take down Theodor. Can you gather the team and meet me now at my usual place?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line before a voice responded, "Yeah, I'll get the team together. You're sure about this?"

"Absolutely," Rex replied firmly. That bastard has come to our city. How can I not welcome him? He needs to know we're  polite people, right!?"

After he ended the call, Rex left the venue and went to The Fox basecamp underground. 

****

At the same time, Scarlett and Xander left the club.

They walked towards the parking area to get Xander's car. Xander had deliberately decided not to bring his driver with them tonight, so he drove alone. As they were walking toward their car, Scarlett suddenly felt her whole body freeze as she saw a familiar face with ginger red hair walking towards her.

'DAMN IT!!' Scarlett cursed inwardly. While making sure her disguise is still perfect.

"Are you cold?" Xander was surprised when he felt Scarlett's grip tighten.

"I'm okay!" Scarlett smiled and tried to act naturally. "I just need some hot chocolate and something delicious to eat!" she said while looking at Xander, avoiding eye contact with Theodor, who had just passed them.

"I know you must be hungry. I'll ask someone from the hotel to bring us our late dinner..." Xander smiled. He knew his wife was probably hungry because, at Rex's party, she didn't touch food at all and only ate fruit and cake.

"That's a great idea, hubby!" Scarlett smiled, relieved that Theodor was far behind them and hadn't recognized her.

However, just when Scarlett thought she was safe, fate seemed to play a trick on her.

"Xa-nd-er Riley!?" A male voice from behind clearly called out Xander's name, causing Xander to stop in his tracks. Scarlett automatically stopped, cursing inwardly.

'Why did someone have to recognize Xander in this place?' Scarlett scolds that person in her heart. Then, she took a deep breath and looked behind her, following Xander's gaze.

Scarlett's eyes widened as she saw the man who was called Xander.

"Bloody hell! How did we meet here, Xander Riley!?" The man said with a big smile. He walked up to Xander with his two bodyguards following him not far behind.

"Theo? Why are you here?" Xander was surprised to see his friend Theodor walk into New York City on Christmas day like a New Yorker. "You're supposed to spend Christmas with your family, right?" he said as he received a small hug from Theodor.

Scarlett nearly fainted. 'What's going on here? Why does this crazy bastard Theodor know Xander? And Xander knows him too?' she felt utterly confused but remained silent, afraid of showing her shocked reaction and making Theodor notice her.

"Hahaha, Xander. You too, why did you come here? You should be in Cloudfort, right!?" Theodor said, then his eyes fixed on the beautiful girl beside Xander. "This beauty?" he asked, confused, as he saw the girl holding Xander's hand.

"Theo, let me introduce this woman. She's Scarlett Piers, my wife..." Xander smiled at Scarlett, "Babe, this is Theodor Parker, another good friend of mine. He's from M Country..."

Scarlett's heart seemed to stop when she heard Xander's words. It was hard for her brain to process what she just heard.

'How can my enemy be my husband's best friend? How many friends does he have out there apart from Alex and this crazy Theodor? Are there any others who might be her enemy?' Scarlett suddenly felt like there was a drum of war in her heart, loud and making her chest tighten. She also could feel her knees shaking.

Trying to shake off her surprise, Scarlett slowly raised her hand and accepted Theodor's handshake. She purposely didn't remove her hand gloves, unwilling to let this man touch her skin, afraid the evil genius man might recognize her.